Alt-J: 'We didn't think Brit Awards were for likes of us'

Alt-J have admitted that they did not expect to be nominated for the Brit Awards.

Speaking to NME, keyboardist Gus Unger-Hamilton said the quartet were excited by their nominations for 'Best British Group', 'Best British Album' and 'British Breakthrough', but were surprised to be included in the shortlist.

"It's mad, really. I mean, the Brit Awards: we thought this this wouldn't be for the likes of us, but it's incredible," he said.

Unger-Hamilton said the band's Mercury Music Prize win for their debut An Awesome Wave did not prepare them to be nominated, as the Brit Awards are "very different".

He explained: "In a way, they're at very different ends of the British music spectrum and that's what's cool about it, it's democratic and it's everyone's tastes."

The musician added that the band were particularly pleased at being nominated for their LP.

"'Best British Group' is a bit crazy, because it's such a big thing. It's not just your album or your single, or whatever - it's Alt-J, or whoever, in every way. That's really nice to be up for," he said.